The Name of Jesusනියැදිය

Everlasting Father

How can a son—a child—be called "Everlasting Father?" When Isaiah 9:6 (ESV) identifies this name of Jesus, he’s not saying Jesus replaces God the Father. Remember, God is triune. He’s one God existing eternally in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

To understand this name of Jesus, we need to understand the context of Isaiah 9:6 (ESV). Isaiah is painting a picture of an ideal king, which is what is meant by "the government" being "upon his shoulder."

Now imagine having a king as your dad. You’d be royalty! And imagine your dad, the king, not only ruled over everyone in his kingdom flawlessly, but he also loved you as his child perfectly. This is what God is promising to provide for his people through the coming of Jesus.

I’m not a king, but by God’s grace, I am a dad. I love my kids more than words can express. Honestly, I’m in awe that I’m their dad. I praise God for the privilege and responsibility of caring for them. I want to work for their good in every way possible. The problem is, I’m an imperfect father, which means my love for them isn’t perfect. As much as I want to lead and serve them wisely, I’m not perfectly wise, and I don’t always know what’s best for them. As much as I try to work tirelessly for their good, my strength often fails, and I don’t always do right by them. As much as I long to help them, I’m limited in the help I can provide.

But Jesus is different. His reign as king in our lives demonstrates the love of a Father who is perfectly wise. He always knows what’s best for us. He also never tires, which means he works at all times for our good, even when we’re sleeping—because he’s wide awake. There are no limits to the help he can and will provide for us.

I’ve experienced the joy of being loved by a good dad in this world, and I obviously don’t know what your relationship with your dad is like, or whether you have a relationship with him at all. Regardless, be encouraged by this good news. Seven centuries before Jesus came, God promised he would send Jesus so you could enjoy his perfect love not just as a citizen of his kingdom, but as a child in his family. And remember, you will experience this love forever and ever and ever, for his name is Everlasting Father.

Take some time to list the characteristics of a good father in this world. Then consider the ways that Jesus is a perfect demonstration of all these attributes. Praise Jesus as the Everlasting Father, the King who loves his people as a dad loves his children, and thank him specifically for the ways he has loved you. Then pray for over 38 million Java Pesisir Lor in Indonesia who cannot become children of God until they hear the truth about Jesus.